Adjustable bracket



' W. A. FERGUSON ADJUSTABLE BRACKET Filed June 23, 1934 Patented June 2, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to an adjustable bracket, and it is an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind including a member which may be readily adjusted and effectively supported in a plurality of positions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bracket of this kind which is especially adapted for use in conneption with the back of a seat structure.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved adjustable bracket whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section illustrating a bracket constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention and in applied position;

Figure 2 is a View in front elevation of the device as herein disclosed unapplied;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view partly in elevation and partly in section illustrating in detail the operative connection of the two members of the bracket, a second position of one of the members being indicated by broken lines;

Figure 4 is a view in top plan of the supporting or stationary member of the bracket.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawing, my improved bracket comprises two members A and B, the member A constituting a supporting or fixed member and the member B constituting the adjustable or movable member. The member A as herein disclosed consists of a base plate l'having therethl'ough the suitably positioned openings 2 whereby the member A may be effectively anchored or secured in desired position. One end portion of the plate I at substantially its transverse center is provided with an upstanding fiat plate 3 and the outer or free end portion of this plate 3 at opposite sides thereof and adjacent to its rear edge is provided with the laterally disposed lugs 4, the upper face 4 of each of which being disposed on an inward and downward bevel. These lugs 4 also have their upper or beveled ends 4' terminating a slight distance below the upper end of the plate A. The plate A in advance of the lugs 4 is provided therethrough with a slot 5, said slot 5 being on a slight downward and inward curvature toward the lugs 4.

The member B as herein disclosed comprises an elongated channel arm 6 adapted to be secured by the screws 1 or the like disposed therethrough to its work. One end portion of this arm 6 is disposed on a curvature, as at 8, and which curved portion is continued by a shank 9 substantially in parallelism with the arm 6 and ofiset therefrom. This shank 9 is provided throughout its entire length with a kerf H] which extends a slight distance up within the adjacent extremity of the curved portion 8. The kerf l allows the shank 9 to straddle the outer or upper end portion of the plate 3 and disposed through the outer or free end portion of the shank 9 and the slot of the plate 3 is a pin ll whereby the two members A and B are connected. The pin ll allows the member B to be readily swung with respect to the member A and the slot 5 permits the position of the pin H to be adjusted as desired therealong. The arcuate form of the slot 5 also serves to cause the shank 9 by gravity to move inwardly toward the lugs 4 and more particularly when the member B is in its upstanding position. When the member B is in its upstanding or extended position the inner edges of the shank 9 at opposite sides of the kerf ill have close contact with the adjacent side faces of the lugs 4 and the adjacent portions of the curved part 8 have contact from above with the beveled faces 4 of the lugs. The portion of the plate 3 immediately above the lugs 4 is received within that portion of the kerf Ill extending within the curved part 8.

When the member B is in its extended position as just described the pin II is adjacent to the lower or inner end of the slot 5 and, as before stated, the curvature of this slot 5 serves to facilitate the maintenance of the member B in its position. When it is desired to swing the member B either forwardly or rearwardly with respect to the member A it is only required to give an upward pull to the member B until the free end of the shank 9' is above the lugs 4 or the pin II is in the upper part of the slot 5. In this position the member B may be swung in either direction. When swung rearwardly the inner portions of the shank 9 at opposite sides of the kerf ID will come in contact with the beveled faces 4 of the lugs 4 and thus limit the rearward swinging movement of the member B and provide an effective support therefor when in such position.

This supporting of the member B when swung rearwardly is of especial advantage when the bracket is employed in connection with the back of a seat structure. By providing this rearward support the back of the seat may be readily lowered should it be desired to use the same for sleeping purposes, or as an ambulance.

The unobstructed forward swinging movement of the member B is of advantage when the bracket is used in connection with a seat structure as it will allow the seat back to be swung forwardlyin the event it should be desired to facilitate the loading or unloading of the vehicle to the rear of such seat back. 7

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that an adjustable bracket con-- structed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limitingmyself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practiceexcept as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

A bracket of the class described comprising a plate, means at one end portion of the plate for supporting the plate in working position, lugs extending from opposite sides of the plate adjacent to but spaced inwardly from the opposite end of the plate, a slot in the plate adjacent to the lugs and disposed on a curvature in a direction toward the lugs, a second member having a bifurcated shank straddling the plate, a pintle disposed through the bifurcated shank and the slot, said slot extending beyond the lugs, the end of the plate adjacent to the lugs contacting with the inner end of the kerf of the bifurcation of the shank when said second member is in an upstanding position with respect to the plate, the shank of the second member when in such position having close contact with the lugs, the

upper faces of the lugs being inclined inwardly of the plate toward the end portion provided with the supporting means, the contact of the shank with the lugs when the pin is at the lower por-' tion of the slot. holding the member against.

swinging movement in either direction.

WALTER A. FERGUSON. 

